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Dominicans

“No problem”. Everything is no problem. What a great philosophy. My wife and I visited the Dominican Republic last June. As we were on the tour bus to Saona Island the tour director spoke about the history of the Dominican Republic and how different countries fought to have the land that is now the Dominican Republic.

It was like “no problem” was their slogan even in a time of war. With no big army or navy, what could they do to defend themselves? Eventually they got their freedom; however the US wanted to run their country. They pleaded with trust. The people of the Dominican Republic stated, “Trust us to run our country. Come visit us anytime, no problem, we will take care of you”. And they have. Taking care of their visitor is embedded into the people of DR.

Coined phrases like, “Welcome to the party”, “How are we?” is asked often but “Manifico” is the only acceptable answer. “Are you having fun? Yes or yes?” Which doesn’t even give you the chance to say, “No, not having fun”.

You want something? No problem. Whatever it is, it’s no problem to get if for you. How many businesses in the US utilize that phrase? No problem. Many times if a customer wants something that not in the line with normal operating practices, it’s probably a big problem. I can’t do that it’s not by my protocol. But in DR, it’s not a protocol; it’s a way of life. To keep their country going, they depend on everyone within to do their part to make sure we come back again and again.

Their work scheduled at the resort is 16 hour days for 11 days straight. Insane work schedule, however these aren’t factory workers. They do live in a paradise where their motto is, “Welcome to the party”. It does make it easier to endure when your workplace is a “party”. But you try to be nice to strangers for 16 hours a day. I’m sure it’s not easy. Their “niceness” is not limited to the tourists; they are friendly to each other as well. I have seen them many times give each other kind greetings, high 5’s, etc. If you were a customer in a large department store, how much better of an experience would it be if you saw the employees being nice to their fellow employees? Multiple times I have been in my bank only to see the tellers being “catty” to the other tellers. That’s not good for business, ever.

But in DR, it’s one big family. As the bartenders stated, “you are mi familia”. Our tour director would state in order to get our attention, “Attention Enrique Family”. It gave us all a sense of intrinsic security knowing that he was there to take care of us.

To the newcomer, Dominicans can come across as pushy and at times may cross that line of personal boundaries but what I have noticed is that they cross sell other products and services that may not directly affect that one person. They help their fellow Dominicans because in turn it helps all Dominicans.

Dominicans have a sense of humor, light-heartedness. Funny that they know what’s going on in our country. We arrived at Saona Island (one of sixteen national parks in DR). Our tour director tells us what to expect there at the island by referencing Obama-care.

What is included and what is extra. “Welcome to Obama-care. Everything here is free, but if you want to get a lobster, that is extra”.

DR and its people are beautiful and desire everyone to come visit them, not just once, but often. “Welcome to the party”.

The Origin of Veterans Day

Did you know that Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day and was celebrated by other countries along with America?

World War I was known as, “The Great War”. And though the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, the fighting ceased seven months earlier. The Allied Nations and Germany had an armistice, a temporary halt to the fighting.

It was agreed upon that on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, their would be an armistice. And because of that, November 11, 1918 was regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars”.

11.11.11 – The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month.

In 1921, an unknown American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, which became the focal point of reverence for American veterans. Similar ceremonies took place earlier in England and France where one of their unknown soldiers were buried at their nation’s highest place of honor, which also took place on November 11th. The day became known as “Armistice Day”.

The First Veterans Day

It wasn’t until 1947 that we started using the term Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks, a WWII veteran organized a “National Veterans Day” in Birmingham, AL. The event included a parade and other festivities to honor all veterans.

A bill was proposed to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Congress passed the bill in 1954 that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

In 1968, a law was passed to change Veterans Day to the 4th Monday in October. However November 11th stuck out to too many people as a day of remembrance and in 1978, Congress moved the day back to November 11.

Every Veterans Day

At 11am today, a combined color guard will execute a “Present Arms” at the tomb of the unknowns, followed by a bugler playing, “taps”.

So in your busy moments of today, remember to honor our American veterans for their sacrifice, their patriotism and love of our country.

What It Means To Me

I served in the Navy back in 1987. I was only a kid, but I was proud to serve, with my shipmates on the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Every time we left a port, the ship played, “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood over its loud speakers (1MC). It gave you chills to hear it played and here it is 27 years later and the song still gives me chills.

Last year my father-in-law took us out to Applebees and he proudly wore his Vietnam Vet hat and jacket. I was in-awe of the responses he got walking into Applebees. If you didn’t know, Applebees gives a free meal to all veterans on this day. It must have taken him 15 minutes just to walk into the restaurant.

As for me, my cruise jacket doesn’t me anymore. My Coral Sea hat is somewhere up in the attic. But I was still served a complimentary meal from Applebees.

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I am a business owner and have been in business for myself since 1999. A few years back, I decided that I wanted to learn about web design and graphic design. I am self-taught by searching the internet for different ways to do things.

This blog is about what I have learned over the years and complied into one source. I welcome your thoughts and comments.

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